Mental Health is one of the thematic areas prioritised by young people in their 7-Point Agenda, an outcome of the first phase of the action research on “Intergenerational Perspectives on Building Education Better”, a Jaslika initiative. Jaslika Youth Nairobi, together with selected young people from Nyeri, identified mental health as a key issue affecting young people and children. Recognising the critical need to address this issue, Jaslika has been organising peer-to-peer learning and community intergenerational dialogues facilitated by Whole Child Development Champions(WCDC) at community levels to help shift mindset changes and foster positive changes towards mental health among children, young people and the wider community.
On February 27th, 2024, Jaslika hosted a webinar presented by Laura Keihäs, Lecturer at Humak University of Applied Sciences, Finland,titled: ‘Using Art Therapy for Mental Health Support’ , for Jaslika members. In her presentation, she focused on how art creates hope and the importance of creative expression in psychosocial support, having potential to offer innovative solutions to mental health challenges. In her presentation, Laura shared that through visual arts or other creative media such as music, dance and drama, a young person can be seen and heard - even without a common language.
The webinar generated a great deal of interest among the attendees, who called for the seminar to be extended to a wider audience. In view of this, Jaslika is planning to host another webinar with Laura on the same topic in the second quarter of 2024. Stay tuned for further details on how to participate and contribute to Jaslika Events and Initiatives on the Jaslika Social Media Platforms. Together, let’s offer possibilities for creative self-expression!
Laura Keihäs is passionate about arts, creativity and equity in education & well-being. With extensive fieldwork experience with UNICEF in countries such as Uganda, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, and Niger, she witnessed first-hand how expressive arts helped children & youth cope and find joy in challenging situations. Motivated by these experiences, she wanted to learn more and studied art therapy in Canada. As an art therapist, teacher, and community educator, she has facilitated art groups with children, youth and women, in France with cancer patients, in Finland with asylum seekers / Red Cross and in Uganda, at Grace Villa, a home and sanctuary for vulnerable girls in Kabale.
“Creative acts, as simple as drawings, give young survivors a voice when silence is self-imposed or imposed by others.” (Malchiodi 2008)